Competition Success for Submission on the Use of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Learning Scenarios

Jury’s Decision

The competition entry Virtual Reality for User-Centred Architecture presents a virtual reality (VR) application that has been used for several years to integrate user studies into design training for architecture students. This application, identified as an ideal use of VR, enables digital building models to be inspected in VR and evaluated using survey modules. The experts were especially impressed by the creative integration of the feedback gained from the tool into the design process. They also highlighted the fact that »›feedback-based exploration‹ is not limited to buildings as subjects of evaluation, but could also for example be used in training worlds and computer games (...). Although the application is not a traditional VR learning application, but is rather being used as a tool (for example in project-based training), the experts and the judging panel were won over by the idea, the reliable implementation and the high level of maturity documented by many years of use in teaching.«

The methods and tools of virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) are becoming increasingly common thanks to the latest technological advances. One of the many potential areas of application is within learning contexts. However, thus far there has been a lack of universal agreement on how to build such learning contexts.

The competition was organised by the VR/AR Learning study group within the Educational Technology working group under Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V., in conjunction with the Donor’s Association for the Promotion of Humanities and Sciences in Germany. It is seeking effective, modern learning scenarios that incorporate VR and AR technologies.

Information on the other prizes in the competition: https://ak-vrarl.gi.de/wettbewerb-avril/detail/wettbewerb-avril-2021-gelungene-vr-ar-lernszenarien

Interview with Dr.-Ing. Sven Schneider discussing the tool developed